Cup-dispensing mechanism



Feb. 21, 192s.

M. F. WOOTEN ET AL CUP DISPENSING MECHANISM Filed Jan, 25. 1922 3 Sheets-Sheet l arroz 11u14.

Feb. 21, 192a 1,660,247

M. F. WOOTEN ET AL CUP DIsPENsING MEGHANISM Filed Jan. 25, 1922 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 atto: muy

vFeb. 2l, 1928. 1,660,247

M. F. wooTEN ET Aq.

` CUP DIsPENsING MEGHANISM -iled Jan. 25. 1922 s sheets-sheet 5 No: muy

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Vbeverage-dispensing apparatus.

Patented Feb. 21, 192s.

UNITED STATES* I 1,660,247 PATENT-OFFICE. l

MARION E. WOOTEN, LUTHER R. EIvINs, AND ROY M. NICHOLAS, OE RICHMOND, VIR- GINI'A, AssIGNORs ro RICHMOND `BEVERAGE MACHINE CORPORATION, OE RICH- MOND, VIRGINIA, A CORPORATION OE VIRGINIA.

CUP-DISPENKSING MECHANISM.

This invention pertains to mechanism for delivering, one at a time, from a magazine r holder in which they are stacked or nested, cups or containers of conical form.V More particularly, though not exclusively, the structure is intended to deliver paper cups, such as are now generally provided for use in connection with water coolers, and with Cups for these purposes are now made in several forms, but usually comprise a tapering or frusto-conica-l body, closed at its smaller end, and provided at its open end or mouth with an outwardly turned flange, lip, bead, or rolled edge, which tends to stiffen and brace the cup against distortion or collapse, and which performs an important function in connection with mechanism for dispensing or delivering the cups mechanically.

In its general form and arrangement the structure herein disclosed is quite similar to another Owned and controlled in the same interest as is that of the present invention and application, the present improvements being designed to secure positive actuation of the cup-supporting, releasinggvand ejecting devices in all their movements and to insure a sharp staccato action of the ejector,

with a view to more certainly detaching tholowermost cup from the cup next above, than can be done by a slower or more gradualmovement of the ejector. The claims are accordingly Vdrawn to these improvements.

With these objects in view the mechanism is constructed asset forth in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a plan view of the cup-dispensing or delivery mechanism with the magazine `Or holder removed, the upper cupsupporting slides retracted, the, lower cupsupporting slides advanced, and-the ejectors in inactive position; Y

Fig. 2, a vertical section on the line 2 2 of Fig. l, looking in the direction indicated by arrows; j y

Fig. 3, a top plan view similar to Fig. l, with the upper Vcupfsupporting slides; advanced, the lower cup-supporting slides retracted, a cup in position,fand the cup Vejectors in ejecting position;

Fig. 4, a vertical section on the line 21-4 of Fig. 3, looking in the direction indicated by arrows;

Fig. 9, a perspective view of one of the lower cup-supporting slides, turned A9'0" from normal position to show the stud with which the actuating cam coacts.

In the earlier structure upon which'this is an improvement, the cup-supporting slides .were positively advancedby the cam faces of a camring but were retracted .by springs ;'the forward ends of the upper cupsupporting slides projected further inward toward the cups at their upper than at their lower sides or faces; and the cams` for ,actuating the ejectors were `designed to produce arelatively slow and gradual movement of the ejectors. It has been found in practical use that better results can'bev attained by reversing the bevel of the ends of the upper cup-supporting slides, or of the lingers thereof; by employing cams to positively retracti as well as to advance all the slides; and by so fashioning the ejector-actuating cams as to cause a very quick action, in the nature of a sharp, quick blow or stroke.

The use of positively-acting cam mechanism for retracting as well as advancing the slides renders their movements more certain and prevents lag or failureto move, and it also reduces the numberof parts, cheapens the construction of the mechanism, and lessens its liability. to derangement.

The reversal of the bevel ofthe ends of the upper slides, or their lingers, and of the ej'ectors, facilitates their` entrance between the flanges, beads, or vlips of twov cups, and

Vrenders moreA effective the engagement of and the consequentsudden or staccato action thereof uponr the eup,is peculiarly effective in detachingthe lower-most cup from the one above, lwhere because of softening of the usual parafiu or like coating, or through close nesting of the cups under endwise pressure,` they ,adhere quite 'firmly one to another. Itis also found that the cups. are less frequently injured where this stroke or sudden pressure is employed. Y. Referring now to the drawings, the improved structure willbe'des'criibcd in de-v tail.

An annular base plate 1 providedwith an attaehingfbracket 2,' integral orv separate as found expedient, constitutes the base or support for the mechanism, vand isformed with an annularseat or depression to receive and guide in its movements. fadouble camringcomprising a' lower ring member 4 and an upper ring member 5, the seat?) being outside of and concentric'with a large central opening '6, through whichthe cups are delivered. Thel space between the central opening 6 and the inner wall of seat or Vde'- pression 3 is raised above the-bottom of said depression to the extent ofthe thickness ofthe lower ring member 4.I andaffordscircumferentialflange 10, which forms the outer wallof the seat or depression 3, and rises to a heightto form an outeror peripheral bearing or guide for the upper ring member 5. The two ringmembers 4 andf are connected by screwsor bolts llipassing through spacing washers 12 interposed between the rings, as best seen in Figs. 1` and 6.

'Formed upon or secured to the raised inner platform or surface of base plate 1 are guide blocks 13 arranged in pairs, the members ofeach pair being parallel with each other. The inner orfacing walls of the two guides of'each pair are provided each with a pair of horizontal grooves or guideways 14, 15 (see Figs. 2 and 5), to receive-the edges of two series of cup-supporting slides. The inner ends of the slides 16 of the lower series are preferably formed with two separated fingers 17, as shown in Figs. l, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8 and 9, which fingers are beveled on their lower sides as seen in Figs. 2, 4 and 9.'

Each slid-e 16 is providedvon its lower side with Ia stud'v18. to enter a. cam slot or groove 19 of the lower ring member 4. The upper, grooves or guideways14 of the guide blocks 13 receive the longitudinaledges of the upper series of slides 20, of the form best shown in Figs. 7 and 8, which move hori 1,eeo,247

zontally in the ,guideways above the slides i 16 and in alternation therewith.

Each upper slide 20 is, like the slides 16, bifurcatedat its inner or forward end, and

beveled as shown Vin Figj7, and between the forks or fingers so formed there ispivoted an ejector 21 of the form best shown. in Figs. 2, 4 and 7. This ejector, as seen in Figs. 2 and 4, consists of a block or body having a-bcveled inner or forward end lying Vbetween the fingers or forks of therslide provided onits under face with a stud 23, to

enter a cam slot yor Agroove 24 in the upper ring-member 5. l

It will be seen upon reference to'Fig's. 1, l2, 7, 8 and/9 that the forward or inner ends ofV all the slides of bothV series are curved on an arc of a circle,`to :conform to the curvatur-e of the circumference of the cupsat a point just below their rims or flanges.

The cam slots and studs-are so positioned, and the slots are .so fashioned, that upon oscillating the double vcam-ring about its center or aXis, the upper series of slides 20, which are normally retracted, will be moved inward andheld in sucl'iinwardl position during thefirst portion of such movement of the cam-rind while the lower slides 16,

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normally advanced and heldl inward during such movement, will be retracted lby the final part of such movement of the ring,'but the slides of either series will remain in their inward or advancedposition during the retraction of the slidesof the other series, and while the latter remain in retracted position. As a consequence one or the other series of slides will always be in position to maintain the column of cups above'the lowermost cup, and the lowermost slides, when in their advanced or inward adjustment, will of course support the entire column, including the lowermost cup. Y c

Figs. 1, 3 and 6 show the'form of the upper cam slots 24 in full lines, and Figs. 1 and 3 show the form of the lower cam slotsV` 19 in .fullv lines as to one of said slots, and by dotted linesI as to the others. yIt will be concentric with the axis of oscillation, but

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near one end bend suddenly outward instead of inward, and then'continuea short distance` the slots 19 and 24 are of practically the same length, or occupy an 'equal number of degrees of the circle, the sharp bend or curve from the main or longer portion of the slot 19 islocated at a greater distance from the closed end of the shorter concentric section of the slot than is the similar bend of slot 24:. It therefore follows that when the normally active or .effective cup-supporting slides 16 are advanced, at which time their studs 23 are in the short concentric section of the slot 19, oscillation of the Cain-ring in the direction oi travel lof the hands of a clock will first act to advance .the upper slides Q0, and will fully `advance the sameA beforethe lower slides 16 begin to recede. This receding movement begins just aftercompletion of the inward movement or advance of the upper slides', the outward movement of the lower slides being, however, completed before the ejectors 21 come into action, so

,that there may be no interference with the free delivery of the lowermost cup when said ejectors function. On the return movement or reverse oscillation of they cam-ring, the

relative positions of the slides 16 and 2O are reversed,-the lower slides being again advanced and the upper'slides retracted.

Toward the completion of the initial oscillatory movement of the cam-ring, and after the lower slides have been retracted, the ejectors 21 are actuated to force the lowermost cup downward and detachit from the next cup above, in the event that it adheres thereto orfails to drop of its own weight. This actuation is .caused by the kouter or weighted end of each ejector riding over one or another of a series of raised cams 25, one end of each of which rises somewhat. abruptly from the ring member 5, or with relativelyl slight inclination of its end face from the vertical, and continues at such height-to its opposite end. To insure an easy and cer tain movement of the outer or weighted end of the ejector 21 up the inclined end face ot the cam 25, the co-actingface of said weighted end is rounded as shown in Figs. 7 and 8, as is also the point or angle which would otherwise be formed bythe meeting of the end and-top faces of the cam 25. vThe inclination of such end taceof' cam .Q5A is made as abrupt, or departs aslittle from the vertical.v as is consistent with a free rise or travel of the ejector upon and over it, so that the beveled end of the ejector may be thrown downward as suddenly as practicable, and thereby eiect a very quick down` ward pressure upon the rim of the lowermost cup of the column, an action closely resembling a hammer'blow or staccato stroke. The upper surface of each cam 25 is beveled `to afford a yflat bearing for the outer or Weighted'end of each ejector travelling over it. The weighted ends ofthe ejectors may, of course, bev provided with anti-friction rolls to reduce friction andfacilitate the upward travel of the outer ends of the ejectors in ascending the inclined ends or' the cams 25, but this is an obvious expedient to ywhich we lay no claim. i

The cam-ring is provided with a radia arm or extension 26, so that the oscillation of the ring may be effected manually and directlyl in either or in both directions. ln

practice, however, itisfound convenient to connect this arm through suitable linkage with a hand-lever located in convenient position on the exterior of the cabinet within which the mechanism here described usually, placed. v

Itis desirable to use not less than three slides in each set, and the drawings show three such sets spaced at equal angular distances, or 1200 from axis to axisof the slides, but two slides in each set will kfunction properly, particularly if nia-de of considerable width; or more than three maybe used, in which case the spacing ,will be changed accordingly, and in every instance the number of cam slots vand cams will'co'rrespond with the number of slides.

It will be observed that under the construction here illustrated and described, both is, Y i

each yslide in proper time and sequence, the

outer wall of each slot serving to move the slides'in'ward, and the inner wall of each slot serving to move them outward, while the concentric portions of each retain the slidesA in fixed position so long as the studs are therein.

It is believed that the general yoperation of the mechanism will be readily understood from the foregoing description, hence it is sufficient to add that swinging the cam-ring in one direction causesthe upper slides to move inward to engage beneath the rim of the cup next above the lowermost, the lower slides to recede, and the raised cams to actuate the ejectors and force off the bottom cup, in sequence; while on the return movement of oscillation the lower slides are advanced, the upper slides retracted, and the ejectors caused to ride off their elevating cams, and to fall by gravity to their normal horizontal position. All movements of the slides are thus eifectedpositively, or without Athe use of springs or other delicate and more flange of the second cup fromthe bottom, bringingvthe flat under face of each ejector directly over and causing it to lrest upon the rim `of the lowermost cup, so that when the outer end of each ejector is thrownup by its-cam 25, the several ejectors act in vertical planes parallel or coincident with the axis of the cup column.l The lowermost cup -is thus evenly or equally forced down at all pointsin its circumference, and with a very quick and sudden pressure, which insures itsdetachment from the cup above, and its projection ldownward without tendency to tip in its travel to' the receiving shelf or holder which is commonly employed directly beneath the cup, or to the hand of the person operating the mechanism.

. Thermechanism here described is intended signedand intended-for use with paper cups,

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the mechanism may be used with any container of similar form and having anout wardlflangalipor bead. lt is alsoV obvious that the vslides of one set need not be directly above or below those of the other set, but may alternate therewith, provided the cup-supporting ends or ngers of the two sets of slides beat yproper levels to enter beneath the -lowermost and the next to the lowermost cup rims respectively, the cam slots and ejector camsbeing positioned tol correspond.

- Wh at' we elaimis 1. The herein described cup-dispensing device, comprising a base with .a central open ing for the'passage of cups through it; a plurality ofguideways carried by said base; upper and lower cup-supporting slides slidable in each of said guideways radially to the center of the cup opening in the base, each slide provided with a stud to enter a cam slot; and a cam-ring comprising an upper and a lower annular member, each provided with a plurality of cam slots corresponding in number with the slides to be actuated thereby, the slots of both ringmembers being through a considerable portion of their length concentric with the axis of the cup opening inthe base, the slots of the lower ring member having near one end an inward bend followed by a short length concentric ywith said axis, and the slots of the upper ring member having near one end an outward bend followed by 'a concentric portion of shorter length than that of the lower ring member; wherebyan oscillation of the cam ring in one direction 'serves to advance Y the normally retracted uppery slides.. and thereafter to retract the normallyadvanced lower, slides, and` a reverse oscillation re-4 stores the parts to normal position, the several movements of the slides 'being positive inboth directions. Y

2. The herein described cup-dispensing device, comprlsing a base with a central opening for the passage of cups lthrough it; a plurality of guideways carried byl said base; upper and lower cup-supporting slides movable in the krespective guideways radially to series associated with the lower slides having near one end an inward bend followed by a short length-concentric with said axis, and the slots associated with .the upper slides having near one end an outward bend Vfollowed by a concentric portion of shorter length .than that of the other series-V; and cams vprojecting Vupward from the cam-ring and having at one end an incline, whereby Y an oscillation ofthe cam-ring inonedirection serves to advance the normallyfr'etracted upper slides with their ejectors and thereafter to retract the normally advanced lower slides, and actuate the ejectors, and

a reverse oscillation restores the parts to normal position, the several movements of the slides beingpositive in both directions.

` 3. A. cup-dispensing. mechanism of the character described comprising, in combina'- tion, a base or platform provided with an opening for the passage of cups through it; slides mounted upon said base and arranged in two series, those of one series in plane to pass beneath the flange of the lowermost cup and those of the other series to pass beneath the flange of the cup next above, the slides of the two series being radially and alternately movable: in. horizontal planes toward and from the axis ot the central cup opening; ejectorsr carried bythe slides ofthe upper series and pivoted `toswing in vertical planes; a cam-ring` mounted upon the base, capable of oscillation about its central axis, land provided with two series of slots to receive actuating studs of the slides of the two series and impart positive movement to the slides ink bothdirections; and a seriesof upstanding cams carried by the cam-ring, and

having their forward ends inclined at as slight an inclination from the vertical as is consistent with a free travel of said cams beneath the overhanging ends of the ejectors; whereby the ejectors are caused to move suddenly upward at their outer ends and suddenly downward at their ejecting ends, and to act with a staccato stroke upon the cup to be ejected.

4. In a. cup-dispensing mechanism of the character described, a series of slides adapted to enter beneath theflange ofthe lower-` most cup of a stack or column; a second series of slides arranged to enter beneath the flange of the cup next above the lowermost7 the supporting ends of theupper slides being inclined downward toward their for- Ward extremities, whereby they are adapted to enter more readily beneath the cup flange and to conform thereto; and means for positively advancing and receding the slides of the two series in proper time and sequence, the several slides being radially and alternately movable in horizontal planes toward and from the axis of the cup column.

5. In a cup-dispensing mechanism of the character described, a series of slides adapted to enter beneath the flange of the lowermost cup of a stack; a second series of slides arranged to enter beneath the flange of the cup next above the lowermost, the several slides being radially and alternately movable in horizontal planes4 toward and from the axis of the cup column, and each of said slides being provided with an ejector pivoted to swing in a vertical plane and terminating at its inner end as a continuation of the forward line of the slide; and means for positively advancing and receding the slides of the two series in proper time and sequence,v and for actuating the ejectors in operative direction, the forward ends of the upper slides and of the ejectors being beveled downwardv toward their inner extremities to facilitate their entrance beneath the flange of the cup.

In testimony whereof we have signed our names to this specification.

MARION F. WOOTEN. LULHE-R R. BIVINS. ROY M. NICHOLAS. 

